Can-testing machine



2 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

D. M.MQNROE. CAN TESTING MACHINE.

No. 358,562. Patented Mar. 1,1887.

N. PETERs, Phnmmhu m her, Wuhin mn, u c.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2..

(No Model.)

. D. M. MONROE.

CAN TESTING MACHINE. No. 858,562. Patente Mar. 1, 1887.

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INVENTOR WITNESSES:

N. PLrERS. Plvow-Lillwgmphcr. Wisllinglun, D, c.

Unrirn STATES A'r'nNr rrrcn.

DAVID M. MONROE, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

CAN-TESTING MACHINE.

QFECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 358,562, dated March 1, 1887.

Application filed October 11, 1886. Serial l\'o. 215,931. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, DAVID M. MONROE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ballimore, in the State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can- Testing Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in can-testing machines wherein is employed an endless band or sprocket-chain, to which is secured at proper intervals clamping devices for holding the cans to be tested, the band or chain in its circuit passing alternately in a solution of sufficiently high temperature to produce the desired air-pressure in the can and into a second compartment, where the Water is quiescent, and where any leaks which may be in the cans will be manifest in the quiet water by the air-bubbles which will arise.

In the further description of my invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation in section of the device complete. Fig. 2 is a plan of the de vices shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a sprocket Wheel and chain with a portion of the clamping devices in section, showing the manner in which the sprocket-chain is used when it is employed in the operation. Fig. 4 is a plan of Fig. 3, with one of the clamping devices in section.

The same numbers refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

The figure 1 represents the tank which contains the cooler or quiet water, which is kept at sufficient height to insure a proper submersion of the cans, and is maintained at a temperature as near the boiling'point as will insure a quiescent state of the water. Within the tank 1 is the compartment 2, which is filled with a solution of calcium, or any other solvent which will permit the boiling-point of the solution to be raised to a tempereture of not less than 306 Fahrenheit, which will be sufficiently high to insure the necessary air-pressure in the cans and melt any rosin which may be adhering to the seams. The required temperature is maintained in compartment 2 by a steam-coil or anyof the common devices for heating.

Attached to the tank 1 by means of the bearings 13 are the pulleys or sprocket-wheels 4 26 27 28 29, over which passes the band or sprocket-chain 5, motion being given to the pulleys or sprocket-wheels by means of the bevel-gearing 6 and the driving-pulley 7. At properintervals on the band 5 are secured the clamping devices 8, the frame 9 of the clampwhich is provided with the bearings 12 and 13, the central bearing, 13, being furnished with the projecting surfaces 14, against which the bottom of the can 15 to be tested rests, being kept thereat by means of the pressure exerted by the springs 16 on the spindle 17. The said spindle 17 works freely through the bearings 12, and is provided with the collar 18 and the coneshaped point 19. The collar 18 presses with sufficient pressure, by means of the spring 16, against the gasket 20 to hermetically seal the can and hold the pressure therein, the cone-point 19 serving as a guide for adjusting the can. The other end of the spindie 17 is provided with the knob 21 for withdrawing the said spindle and placing or re moving the cans, though this might be substituted by any of the common devices for automatic operation.

Vhen the band 5, Fig. 1, is used, the guideplates 22 are provided, the said guide-plates being secured to the sides of the tank and serving to guide the clamping devices by means of the projections 23 on the frame 9 of the clamping device.

In order to guard against the loss of heat in the passage of the can from one compartment to the other, the spray-pipe 24 is provided, which throws a spray of steam upon the can at this point, and thus permits it to reach the quietwater without lessening the pressure within the can.

The manner of operating is as follows: The band or sprocket chain 5 is put in operation by throwing in gear the pulley 7. A can is placed in the clamping device by an operator at 25, from where it passes over the first pulley, 4, and is submerged into the heated tank 2, which contains a solution that is kept at its boiling-point of about 306, this temperature being sufficient to expand the air under ordinary conditions to a pressure of about thirteen pounds per square inch. The rate of speed of the band 5 is regulated to permit the can to remain in this solution sufficiently long to raise the inclosed air to the temperature of the solution and melt any rosin which may be adhering to the seams. From this point the can is carried over the pulley 26, where it is subjected to the spray of steam from the spraypipe 24, which serves to maintain the heat in the can during its passage at this point. The can passes from here and is submerged in tank 1, which contains pure water, the temperature of which is just sufficiently under the boiling-point to maintain a quiescent state of the water. The movement of the band 5 is so slow that but slight disturbance of the water can occur from this cause, and in this quiet water should there be any leaks in the can it will become manifest by the bubbles which will form and arise from the escaping air from within the can. The slightest leak will be detected in this tank 1, as all the rosin has been melted from the seams by the heat in tank 2, and under the pressure of air within. the can the smallest leak must be manifested, and the can may be marked for repairs. The can finally passes over the pulley 27 to the point 30, where it is removed either automatically or by an operator.

Having described my invention and the 40 manner of operating, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The method of testing sheet-metal ves-. sels, consisting ofclosing the can air-tight, then submerging it in a liquid of a high temperature, and after which submerging it in a second liquid of lower temperature than the first, for the purpose specified.

2. In a can-testing machine, the combination of the tankl, containing pure warm water, the tank 2, containing a solution that is sufficiently saturated with some soluble mat ter, whereby a temperature may be maintained which will melt rosin, and can-holding de vices arranged to carry the cans from one tank to the other, for the purpose set forth.

3. In a can-testing machine, the combination of the tank 1, containing pure warm water, the tank 2, containing a solution that is sufficiently saturated with some soluble matter, whereby a temperature may be maintained which will melt rosin, and the can-holding devices consisting of the frame 9, the spindle 17, the spring 16, and the gaskets 20, arranged to carry the cans from one tank to the other, for the purpose set forth.

4. In a can-testing machine, the combination of the tanks 1 and 2, the can-holding devices. mechanism to pass the can-holding device from one tank to the other,and the steamdischarge pipe 24, for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I ai'fix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

DAVID M. MONROE.

Vitncsses:

JNo. T. MADDoX, G. A. BOYDEN. 

